Pronunciation guide

The Maltese alphabet consist of 30 letters. It is usually Semitic in sound. It has short vowels and also long vowels.

Some pronunciation hints: the common letter combination għ is a direct descendant of the Arabic ayin and is silent most of the time, except: when it is the last letter at the end of a word, or the letter immediately before a silent h, in which case the għ takes on a hard h sound. H (h) is silent, and ħ (Ħ) is hard. Ġ(ġ) is soft, and g (G) is hard. Likewise ż and z, whilst ċ and j are always soft. X is pronounced "sh", and the ie group has a prolonged ee sound.

In brief:

Ħ = Hat

Ġ = Lodge

G = Goat

Ż = Zero

Z = Its

Ċ = Cherry

J = Yellow

X = Shogun

GĦH (Tagħha) = Hers

-GĦ (Qlugħ) = Hound

IE (Jiena) = Mean

Vowels

a

e

i

o

u

ie

Consonants

The consonants that are different from those in English are:

ċ Ċ, ġ Ġ (But there is still G), ħ Ħ (There is still h), għ GĦ, ż Ż (There is still z)

Transportation

Bus and train

Directions

Taxi

Lodging

Money

Eating

The Valletta waterfront is the best place to be to dine out in the evening with a wonderful atmosphere/ Valletta also has a number of nice places, just look into the sidestreets for the very best.

Bars

For a night on the town, visit the Saint Julians. Saint Julians or Paceville, as its called by the locals boasts most of Malta's popular night clubs.
The music ranges from Pop, RnB, Hip Hop, Dance and Rock music.
Paceville's night clubs open from 8pm until 4am.
Most of the clubs are free to enter and will offer vouchers at the entrance but drinking responsably is advised as police will be on the lookout.
Smoking is not permitted inside the clubs and if caught by the POLICE, one may be fined!

Shopping

Valletta and Sliema, Paola and B'kara and Hamrun are the most places to shop in they usually open from morning 9:00am till noon and then again from 4:00pm till 7:00pm but some of them open all day